José James

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December 3, 2020 by Simon Sweetman

José James: No Beginning No End 2

José James No Beginning No End 2 Blonde Rainbow Records José James has been one of my favourite vocalists across the last decade – and so versatile too. I’ve loved his tributes to Billie Holiday and more recently to Bill Withers which, respectively (and respectfully) show his pure jazz instincts and the warm soul in […]

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April 26, 2020 by Simon Sweetman

Nate Smith: Light and Shadow – EP

Nate Smith Light and Shadow – EP Nate Smith Nate Smith, master drummer – you’ve heard him pushing the groove hard for Vulfpeck and their Fearless Flyers offshoot, and for Jose James – so perfect as the James Gadson to his Bill Withers on a recent covers set and as well as many other sessions […]

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February 26, 2019 by Simon Sweetman

José James: Lean On Me

José James Lean On Me Blue Note (BLU) When he’s not making his own great (original) music José James is the guy you want covering you. His tribute album to Billie Holiday is a gold standard. And now he gives the Bill Withers catalogue his touch – this is more of a straight reading, a warm tribute, James’ voice close to Withers […]

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April 13, 2016 by Simon Sweetman

José James: Yesterday I Had The Blues – The Music of Billie Holiday

José James Yesterday I Had The Blues: The Music of Billie Holiday Blue Note Of all the “100 Year” celebrations to honour Billie Holiday this felt the most necessary – a brave new voice taking on that wonderful music. Because, at the time, Billie Holiday was exactly that: a brave new voice taking on that […]